Yellowhammer Times

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Ala.—As part of its land-grant charge, Auburn University works through the Alabama Cooperative Extension System to improve the lives of the people of Alabama. Extension educates stakeholders by leveraging research and scholarship—taking scientific knowledge directly to the people. As a part of Auburn’s annual Tiger Giving Day, Alabama Extension is pleased to highlight four projects that will better the lives of individuals in communities all across the state. Consider supporting the following educational programs with your gifts Feb. 22.

Extension Field Internships

Alabama Extension fulfills one of Auburn’s land grant missions, but not all students are aware of the opportunities it affords. Field internships provide a strong learning environment for students and a unique leadership experience for intern mentors.

Dani Reams, an Alabama Extension food safety and quality regional agent, said field internships with Extension are personalized based on a student’s major and his or her interests.

“By introducing students to Extension’s role in making life better for Alabamians, we give them the opportunity to use their degree while also giving back to communities through participation and educational events and programs,” Reams said.

4-H Archery

Over the past two years, Alabama 4-H has documented a 28% increase in youth participation in its Outdoor/Sporting Awareness Fun Education (S.A.F.E.) Shooting Sports program offerings. However, significant upgrades to equipment, target range and facilities are necessary to continue providing top-notch programming for young people interested in learning more about archery.

Molly Gregg, Alabama Extension’s assistant director for Alabama 4-H at Auburn University, said archery is a fun way to get outdoors and build self-esteem while learning a lifelong skill.

“Our goal is to ignite a spark in young people’s lives,” Gregg said. “The archery program provides a supportive environment in which they can have hands-on, fun learning experiences with a positive adult mentor. It promotes the highest standard of safety, sportsmanship, ethical behavior and conservation—with a dose of healthy competition.”

Grow More, Give More

Nearly 2 million Alabama residents live in a food desert, which means they lack regular access to the nutritious food needed for an active and healthy life. Rural residents have little access to food pantries, while timing and routes of public transportation hampers urban residents.

Bethany O’Rear, an Alabama Extension home grounds regional agent, said while these sound like different problems, they can be addressed by the same solution: bring the community garden to the food desert in a portable, inexpensive and easy-to-grow kit.

“This year, Grow More, Give More efforts center on senior citizens in food desert areas,” O’Rear said. “The focus of this project is establishing small-scale adaptable gardens, complete with growing containers, soil, seed, transplants and drip-irrigation systems at senior centers across the state.”

O’Rear said volunteers and Extension Master Gardeners will work directly with senior citizens to grow and harvest fresh fruits and vegetables, while cultivating community.

Snake Training and Identification

Wesley Anderson, an Alabama Extension wildlife specialist, said snakes always capture the public’s imagination through a combination of fear and fascination.

“In the past, the immediate response was to grab a shovel,” Anderson said. “Now, relocation requests are becoming more common.”

Anderson and his team want to provide free venomous snake handling training for first responders, Extension agents and community members. Proper handling of venomous snakes reduces bites, which are painful, costly to treat and sometimes deadly. The training and certification earned by participants in these workshops will allow for the humane relocation of venomous snakes, while creating a safer environment for your family and pets.

Tiger Giving Day

Tiger Giving Day is Feb. 22. Consider supporting these educational Alabama Extension projects with your gifts. Learn more about each project on the Alabama Extension website at www.aces.edu/go/TigerGivingDay. People can make contributions to these projects Feb. 22 at www.TigerGiving.org.

Original source can be found here.